Lena Waithe, Bernice A. King & Others Urge EBONY Readers to Vote

Celebrities are using their voices to encourage their fans to head to the polls and vote during this year’s midterm elections. A slew of prominent Black figures, including The Chi creator Lena Waithe, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), singer Chaka Khan and Bernice A. King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., urged the EBONY.com audience to exercise their right to vote.

Midterm elections typically draw less interest than presidential elections, and the voter turnout usually dips. The 2018 midterms, however, are essential because they can determine the makeup of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which can affect President Donald Trump’s ability to govern.

According to CNN, Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats in the House and a net gain of two seats in Senate to take control away from the Republicans. A Democratic victory in either chamber of Congress will likely allow the party more power to investigate Trump’s administration and to fight back against some of its bigoted policies.

Voters also have a chance to make history because the election features the most diverse group of candidates—from the LGBTQ community, different ethnic backgrounds and a record number of women— in U.S. history

K. Michelle

Gabourey Sidibe

Danielle Brooks

Brittany Packnett

Jovita Moore

Holly Robinson Peete

Logan Browning

Miss Braxton

Nischelle Turner

Rochelle Ritchie

Yvette Nicole Brown

Zellie Imani

Titus O’Neil

Make sure you head out to vote and check out the other celebrities who headed to the polls or advocated for voting during the midterm elections below.

Alicia Keys

Election Day is a few hours away!! I want you to post a picture of yourself after you’ve voted, tagging me and using #VoteWithUs. I’ll be reposting as many of you as I can in my IG story until the polls close! WE got this!!! 💥💥💥💜💜💜 #Votepic.twitter.com/mXGiJkrLYX